Sprint has struggled to keep up with its larger rivals, namely AT&T and Verizon, both of which now sell the popular iPhone 4. Being one of the first to offer the new version of the phone could give it a much needed boost.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal said that Verizon and AT&T will also start selling the new phones, which people are referring to as the iPhone 5, around the same time.

Sprint may also offer the iPhone 4 around the same time, the paper reported.

Rumors about the iPhone 5 have been rampant. Some suggest that the phone will be dual mode so that a Sprint customer, for instance, could use the phone while traveling in Europe.

Many people had expected the phone to become available in September.

Apple, which did not reply to a request for comment about the report, has not revealed any details of the phone or launch details. Sprint declined to comment.